Political Science (MA)

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Offered by the Department of Government , School of Public Affairs .

Admission to the Program

In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for graduate study, applicants must earn a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). All applicants are evaluated on the basis of scholastic achievement in their last 60 credit hours of undergraduate work, two letters of recommendation and an essay on career interest. Applicants who wish to be considered for departmental honor awards must apply for full-time status.

Degree Requirements

33 credit hours of approved graduate work
Written comprehensive examination in American politics, applied politics, or comparative politics, depending on track
Tracks: Political Science, or Applied Politics

Course Requirements

Tracks

Complete one of the following:

Political Science: American Politics

Required

Comparative Politics or Political Theory

600 level course in comparative politics or political theory (3)

15 credit hours in American politics including:

GOVT-651 The Legislative Process (3) (or another course on Congress with permission of the student’s advisor)
GOVT-652 The Presidency and the Executive Branch (3)
Approved courses on public opinion, political behavior, elections, parties, or interest groups

Additional Courses

9 credit hours selected from political science or other disciplines, which may include 3 credit hours of GOVT-691 Internship

Political Science: Comparative Politics

Required

Political Theory (3 credit hours)

One course in political theory

American Politics (3 credit hours)

One 600 level course in American politics

9 credit hours from the following:

GOVT-733 Political Institutions in Comparative Perspective (3)
GOVT-734 Democratization: Past, Present, Future (3)
GOVT-735 Social and Political Movements, Ethnicity and Nationalism (3)
SPA comparative politics courses

Additional Courses

9 credit hours selected from political science or other disciplines, which may include 3 credit hours of GOVT-691 Internship

Applied Politics

Required

3-4 credits from the following:

Two 1 credit courses from the following:

GOVT-521 Topics in Campaign Management (1) :
Campaign Field (1 credit hour required)

Strategy, Theme and Message (1 credit hour required)

Political Writing (1 credit hour required)

or other approved topics
GOVT-524 Topics in Public Affairs and Advocacy (1) :
Survey Research, Focus Groups, Media (1 credit hour required)

Lobbying and the Internet (1 credit hour required)

Grassroots Lobbying (1 credit hour required)

or other approved topics
GOVT-685 Topics in Women and Politics (1-4) :
Women in Congress (1 credit hour required)

Women’s Health Policy (1 credit hour required)

Politics of Women and National Security (1 credit hour required)

or other approved topics

18-19 credit hours from the following:

GOVT-520 Advanced Studies in Campaign Management (4) (if not taken to fulfill requirement above)
GOVT-521 Topics in Campaign Management (1)
GOVT-523 The Art and Craft of Lobbying (3-4) (if not taken to fulfill requirement above)
GOVT-524 Topics in Public Affairs and Advocacy (1)
GOVT-641 The Politics of Mass Communication (3)
GOVT-645 Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Lobbying (3)
GOVT-651 The Legislative Process (3)
GOVT-652 The Presidency and the Executive Branch (3)
GOVT-656 Voting Behavior, Elections, and Campaigns (3)
GOVT-674 Constitutional Law and Politics (3)
GOVT-685 Topics in Women and Politics (1-4) (if not taken to fulfill requirement above)
GOVT-691 Internship (1-6)
Other SPA comparative politics course